By ‘Dotun Akintomide
Imo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha has come under heavy criticism for erecting a statue of South African President, Jacob Zuma in the heart of Owerri, the state capital, as former Aviation Minister, Femi Fani-Kayode on Monday joined other Nigerians to take the Governor to the cleaners.
In a tweet on his official handle, Fani-Kayode said: “Nigerians are murdered by South African security forces every day yet the clown in Imo state builds a statue in honor of Pres. Zuma.
“Igbos are murdered by Nigerian security forces every day yet that same clown in Imo state continues worship @MBuhari.
“Slavery is a curse!” Fani-Kayode tweeted.
Zuma, who is facing multiple accusations of corruption, fraud, and money laundering in his country, arrived Imo State on a two-day working visit on Friday.
While in Owerri, he also bagged the chieftaincy title ‘Ochiagha’ (Warlord).
Similarly, the Civil Society Network Against Corruption (CSNAC) has described as “embarrassing” the visit and honour converred on Zuma by the Imo State governor.
CSNAC’s Chairman, Mr. Lanre Suraj said in a statement on Sunday said the honour bestowed on Mr. Zuma would embolden the president to tell his people he is celebrated abroad.
According to a statement by the South African government, Zuma was in Owerri, the Imo State capital, to “strengthen socio-economic relations and further deepen existing cooperation in the field of education.”
“Apart from allowing Mr. Zuma to address a group of selected secondary school students and other young people, Governor Rochas Okorocha directed a traditional ruler in Imo State to confer a chieftaincy title on him.
“It is embarrassing that a state government controlled by the All Progressives Congress which is fighting corruption could play host to Mr. Zuma, allegedly a corrupt leader in the current assembly of heads of state in the African Union and portray him as a hero before a group of African youth,” Suraj lamented.
He continued: “Is Governor Okorocha not aware that Mr. Zuma has been found guilty of corruption by the courts in South Africa and has been ordered to refund the $500,000 stolen from the public treasury to expand his private house to accommodate his many wives?
“Is Governor Okorocha not aware that Mr. Zuma has also been indicted for allowing an Indian family to influence the appointment of his cabinet members?
“In asking President Zuma to address officials of Imo State government, is Governor Okorocha not aware that the people of South Africa are currently demanding for the resignation of a leader who has brought shame and dishonour to the country of Nelson Mandela?”
It would be recalled that last year, a South African Court ruled that Zuma violated the constitution by using public funds to upgrade his private residence, leading to the president apologizing to his countrymen.
Just last Friday, the Supreme Court of Appeal ruled that Mr. Zuma must face prosecution over almost 800 charges of corruption relating to an arms deal in the 1990s.
“Though we recognize the federal government’s position on not hosting President Zuma in Abuja as his visit would have questioned the anti-corruption policy of President Buhari,” said Mr. Suraj.
“All the same, the federal government should have called Governor Okorocha to order and advise him not to celebrate corruption. Since Governor Okorocha is part of the APC-led government with mantra of zero tolerance for corruption, he must tender a public apology to the people of Nigeria for promoting President Zuma who has been adjudged to be a corrupt leader by the South African judiciary.
Among those who welcomed the South African president at the Sam Mbakwe Airport, Owerri alongside Governor Okorocha were; former president, Olusegun Obasanjo; former Jigawa State governor, Saminu Turaki; and Maurice Iwu, former Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission.
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